Comm #8513
|
Populus tremuloides / Invasive Perennial Grasses Forest
» more details
accession code: VB.CC.31879.CEGL003748
|
Western Ecology Working Group of... |
0
|
This association is a widespread grazing-induced type found across much of the western U.S. within the range of aspen, including the southern and central Rocky Mountains west into the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin into eastern California and throughout much of Idaho and Montana. Stands typically occur within the elevational range of 1830-2830 m (6000-9280 feet) on flat to moderate (1-27%) benches, alluvial terraces and lower slopes, swales, near springs and especially along stream channels and valley bottoms where livestock congregate. Stands typically have current or past heavy grazing. Aspects and substrates are variable. Soils are often relatively mesic and well-developed (Mollisols) but include sandy, silty, or clay loams derived from recent alluvium, shales, granite or volcanics. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (40-60% cover) tree canopy 5-15 m tall composed of <i>Populus tremuloides</i> but may include sparse and scattered conifers, such as <i>Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii</i>, and <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i>. There is no distinct shrub stratum; however, scattered shrubs, such as <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus communis var. montana, Mahonia repens, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i>, may be present.. The diagnostic feature of the understory is the lush herbaceous layer that is strongly dominated by introduced perennial graminoids, usually <i>Poa pratensis</i> (20-30% cover or more), or other introduced forage species, such as <i>Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus</i> spp., <i>Bromus inermis, Dactylis glomerata</i>, and <i>Phleum pratense</i>. Other graminoid species may include <i>Bromus carinatus, Bromus ciliatus, Bromus porteri, Carex</i> spp., <i>Elymus trachycaulus</i>, and <i>Juncus balticus</i>. Forb cover is generally low but often diverse. Forb species with high frequency include <i>Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Astragalus miser, Fragaria</i> spp., <i>Galium boreale, Geranium viscosissimum, Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus</i> sp., <i>Potentilla</i> spp., <i>Thalictrum fendleri, Thermopsis divaricarpa</i>, and <i>Trifolium longipes</i>. Introduced species, such <i>Taraxacum officinale</i> and <i>Trifolium</i> spp., are common in this frequently grazing-disturbed type. |
Comm #8519
|
Betula alleghaniensis / Ribes glandulosum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest
» more details
accession code: VB.CC.36347.CEGL006124
|
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro... |
0
|
This association includes high-elevation boulderfield forests of the Southern Appalachians, strongly dominated by <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>, with few or no other species in the canopy, and with other species indicative of high elevations. This community occurs in a cool, humid climate, on steep, rocky, northwest- to northeast-facing, middle to upper concave slopes, or in saddles between ridges, at elevations of 1370-1615 m (4500-5300 feet). It is known from the high elevations of the Blue Ridge from West Virginia south to eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. This forest is distinguished by a closed to somewhat open canopy dominated by <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>, occurring over angular rocks (0.25-1 m diameter) covered by thin soil, lichens, mosses or vines. The rocks may be almost totally covered by moss. <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i> in the canopy are often stunted and gnarled, with roots that may have grown to encircle the boulders. Tree density is typically less than that of the surrounding forests. Other species that may form a minor canopy component include <i>Aesculus flava, Prunus pensylvanica, Sorbus americana, Acer spicatum, Picea rubens, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa (= Sambucus racemosa var. pubens)</i>, or <i>Quercus rubra</i>. Tree windthrow is common, leaving patches of exposed mineral soil and gaps in the canopy. The shrub density is typically high but may vary between occurrences. Herbaceous cover is generally sparse because of thin, rocky soil, but herbs and mosses may cover the rocks and boulders. Characteristic species include, in the herb stratum, <i>Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), Eurybia chlorolepis (= Aster chlorolepis), Aconitum reclinatum, Cardamine clematitis, Carex aestivalis, Actaea podocarpa (= Cimicifuga americana), Claytonia caroliniana, Clintonia borealis, Dryopteris campyloptera, Dryopteris marginalis, Huperzia lucidula, Oxalis montana, Polypodium appalachianum, Streptopus amplexifolius</i>, and in the shrub stratum, <i>Acer pensylvanicum, Acer spicatum, Amelanchier arborea var. austromontana, Diervilla sessilifolia, Hydrangea arborescens, Ilex montana, Lonicera canadensis, Ribes glandulosum, Ribes rotundifolium, Rubus canadensis, Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa, Vaccinium erythrocarpum</i>, and <i>Viburnum lantanoides</i>. Seepage areas are common, producing wet microhabitats with unique species assemblages (<i>Chelone lyonii, Chrysosplenium americanum, Circaea alpina, Rudbeckia laciniata, Impatiens pallida</i>, and <i>Monarda didyma</i>). This association is distinguished by being strongly dominated by <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>, with few or no other species in the canopy, and with other species indicative of high elevations (e.g., <i>Abies fraseri, Dryopteris campyloptera, Ribes glandulosum, Rugelia nudicaulis, Streptopus amplexifolius, Prunus pensylvanica</i>, and <i>Sorbus americana</i>. On less extreme sites, generally at lower elevations in the Blue Ridge and adjacent montane ecoregions, a similar boulderfield forest is ~<i>Betula alleghaniensis - Tilia americana var. heterophylla / Acer spicatum / Ribes cynosbati / Dryopteris marginalis</i> Forest (CEGL004982)$$. Similar <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>-dominated forests occur on glaciated rocky slopes in the upper mid-Atlantic and in the northeastern United States. The <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>-dominated periglacial boulderfields of the southern Appalachian Mountains are distinguished from the northern forests by the occurrence of Southern Appalachian endemic species, better developed shrub layers and slightly less species diversity. |
add all query results to datacart,
add plots on page to datacart,
drop plots on page from datacart